The Pecan Man
by Cassie Dandridge Selleck
My Review:
This story and its characters will live with me FOREVER! I have never been so moved by any characters or by a story the way I was moved by this one with the possible exception of To Kill a Mockingbird and Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee.
A short book with such power that I believe it should be required reading for kids in school. The story takes place in the 1970's in a small (fictitious) central Florida town. I lived in Florida from the time I was 9 years old (in the late 1970s) until I moved my family to the Pacific NW in my late 30s, so in reading this book, I could completely understand what the characters were like. Although this takes place some decades after the Civil Rights movement, I can tell you from my own memories, the effects of the Civil Rights movement were very slow to take hold in these small, rural towns of the South. Actually, I would argue that although laws were in place to protect all people equally, there were still people in power and influencers who refused to accept them and/or live and abide by them. This is the case in this story.
Eddie is the Pecan Man. He is a black man who is a drifter. He appears in town one day to much ridicule and teasing from all in the town for his homelessness. Ora Lee finds herself drawn to not judge his circumstances and give him an opportunity to be a productive and useful member of the town. She gives him a job tending to her yard. In doing so, she finds that this is a quiet man with a good work ethic who is willing to contribute as a part of society. However, the racially-charged presumptions of the town's intolerant majority make him the perfect scapegoat and victim of unjust blame. Blanche Lowry works for Ora Lee Beckworth for most of their lives. Blanche has 5 exemplary children whose only limitation in life is the color of their skin. The town's Sheriff is a man of great influence due to his title but not respected due to his arrogance and self-importance. His son commits a vile crime that impacts the Lowry family. The Lowry's are left in a helpless situation in which seeking justice for the wrong done to them would have a greater negative impact and very dangerous consequences to all. Ora Lee, as not only Blanche's employer but her friend questions her moral responsibility to act on behalf of the Lowry's. What happens as a result would give away what is an amazing story to experience and read so I will refrain from divulging spoilers.
This story is about the importance of acting and reacting according to one's moral conscience. The effects of our actions when it comes to provoking change and evoking ethical behaviors in spite of difficult circumstances. Moreover, at the heart of this wonderful story is the strength of human relationships - be they family ties or the ties that bind us to others regardless of shared DNA.
Does the truth always reveal itself even if not immediately but eventually?
Should you hold yourself accountable to the circumstances of dealing with the truth?
Is there such a thing as a necessary lie?
What is the value of a lie in its impact on those who innocently suffer the consequences?
What are you willing to do for what is right and just in spite of laws and the pressures of the accepted social majority?
This book will make you think. It will make you cry and smile all at the same time. A very important story told in a very honest and thought-provoking way.
A MUST READ!!
Synopsis:
The Pecan Man is a work of Southern fiction whose first chapter was the First Place winner of the 2006 CNW/FFWA Florida State Writing Competition in the Unpublished Novel category. In the summer of 1976, recently widowed and childless, Ora Lee Beckworth hires a homeless old black man to mow her lawn. The neighborhood children call him the Pee-can Man; their mothers call them inside whenever he appears. When the police chief's son is found stabbed to death near his camp, the man Ora knows as Eddie is arrested and charged with murder.
Twenty-five years later, Ora sets out to tell the truth about the Pecan Man. In narrating her story, Ora discovers more truth about herself than she could ever have imagined.
I have been finishing up a BFA in Creative Writing, which included completing a new novel, so I have been woefully absent from social media. I have to say, Laura, this review brought me to tears. So thoughtfully written that I just want to shout to the rooftops "She gets me!" :-) You nailed the theme and the questions of this, my first novel, as if you had been in my head when I wrote it. The voice of Ora Lee was inspired by my beautiful mother, who taught me to love unconditionally. I lost her in February of this year, and I am still reeling emotionally. She would have loved to read this review. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteCassie, first of all my sincere condolences on your mom's passing. I was right there in Feb of 2014 when I lost my mom who I admired and from whom I too learned the value of unconditional love. I still find myself with the need to show her things and share with her the things that bring me joy and the things that frustrate me too. I have to believe that she does see it all and is guiding me along the way. Your book is brilliant and I'm certain she knew that. Ora Lee's character being inspired by your mother speaks volumes about her character and in turn your own. I found her to be so real and so relatable. My husband (who also grew up in the South - Florida to be exact) read the book before I did and then he urged me to read it. I will have my children read it too (2 of them are still too young) when they are ready. Please keep me posted on your next books. I look forward to reading it. Here on my little blog which I started simply because of my fascination with what I get out of the books I read. I learn so much and I feel that if I can't be the writer of such great books as unfortunately I was not born with the talent and skills to do so, I can at least tell those who will listen how much they mean to me. My heroes are people like you who have the humility and sensitivity of heart and mind to tell the stories. I thank you for that. There is that common thread that connects people like you and I and brings what is good in the world. And what a challenging world it is, wouldn't you say? Much luck to you in your career and just continue writing from your heart as it shows that you do. :-)
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